Revisiting Glen Rogers, West Virginia

While I visited Glen Rogers, I made a point of going inside any structure I could. The store is a hollow melted hulk, and the amusement hall, across from the "hotel", has no roof, and nature will find a way. When I describe these places, the temptation is to again, throw it all in a pile of abandoned, glost towns, or apathy. Thats not my goal. I want to know what was the average day? Who were these people? Where did they go? I want to embrace the energy, vitality and life that was here. In a remote place, the culture and spirit of a people do not go away. In many ways, they are stronger.

This is again, a DRAFT series of photos and there will be updates. Clicking on an image will allow you to see its full size. Please do feel free to leave comments. If you want to purchase a print, e mail me and we can discuss a fee.

Inside the store

Open curtains, but nature is winning.

 Thurmond West Virginia and the story of scale

OFICIALLY: Thurmond is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, on the New River. The population was five at the 2020 census. During the heyday of coal mining in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was a prosperous town with a number of businesses and facilities for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.

Reality Check 2022: Thurmond is possibly one of the most photographed of coal towns and appears in almost countless Youtube videos about it being a ghost town. The term ghost town is the red headed bastard step child of photography. Will I see a ghost? Is it haunted? Etc etc etc. BECAUSE so much of what was Thurmond is gone, JUST enough remains to have people crawl all over it and find that ghost. Some also liken it to the wild west, where gambling and prostitution went wild. The truth as far as I have been able to find is that a certain Concho coal company along with many others was nearby and Thurmond was a perfect hub. It had a huge hotel, a bank and pretty much anything a large town would want.  YES there are endless stories of gambling and many other countless tales of debauchery. It is also an active station on the AMTRAK Cardinal line as well as maintained in the National Park System. Wow, thats so ghostly and mysterious.....not. Was there gambling and debauchery? I hope so. Facing death at a coal mine or boredom everyday could really warp anyone.

IS IT haunted? Beats me. IS IT a ghost town? My answer is sure, why not. IS IT a mysterious place? NO. It was a major industrial hub and train station that withered on the vine as the coal went away and its location made it remote. Most of the ghost hunter videos are pure fiction and at best speculation. This was a major location, that performed a specific function for an industry that died in that area. IS IT beautiful and filled with history? YES. At the time of these photos my son was younger and he reminded me in his actions of why I photograph these places: Its fascinating. This is a DRAFT series, I will be making further edits. 

This is a story of scale. How small do we feel when we see what used to be? Where did they all go? Feel free to leave comments. You may see the full size of any picture by clicking on it. Prints can be purchased for a fee. You can e mail me to discuss a fee.

 East Gulf, West Virginia

East Gulf West Virginia is an unincorporated community and former coal town in Raleigh County, West Virginia. Cornelius H. Charlton (1929-1951), United States Army soldier and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, was born in East Gulf. Once a booming coal town, its prep plant gave me some great ideas about what we think of coal. Children play anywhere. AND YES, they would play and explore in coal towns. My son was at this time, reminding me of that. There is a truth to the danger of coal mining. HOWEVER, there is a truth of people who lived in them and honestly, if all of us could remember that, I think the subject of coal towns in West Virginia would be very very pleasant. This is a DRAFT. I will be updating and making changes. PLEASE feel free to comment and clicking in an image will show you its original size.

 Welch, West Virginia

When most people go to McDowell County West Virginia to do col town photography, they rightfully pass by the city of Welch.  Welch was incorporated in 1893 and named after Isaiah A. Welch, a former captain in the Confederate States Army who came to the region as a surveyor, and helped establish the plan for the beginning of a new town at the confluence of Tug Fork and Elkhorn Creek. It is also, the county seat of McDowell County.

Welch is also very much like the gateway to the very very south of West Virginia, and it points to some of the most unique and rugged coal towns in the state.   I have NO desire to discuss drug abuse or poverty here. That subject has been milked to the point where the tits on the cow are bleeding. I wanted to show how local artists and the past, show Welch as something of a treasure. It is however, fleeting...

This is a DRAFT. I will have revisions. PLEASE do make comments and if you want to see the full size of a print just click on the image. I can be e mailed for prints to order and those prints will have the watermark reduced.

The McDowell County Courthouse. A classic structure with its clocktower, and front stair case. The very same staircase to see the murder of a major labor leader in the union movement for coal.

Local artist Tom Acosta, makes Welch a symbol of old and new. He is, in my estimation, a mural master. 

 The Neighborhood

Don't we all love to hear its a beautiful day in the neighborhood?? All joking aside, the collection of pics below will be updated and sorted properly. They represent a few places, Gauley Bridge and Williamson West Virginia. The theme of change and movement via rail and bridge to transport the coal, is always the same. This is a DRAFT, but there will be more changes. Feel free to leave comments, and remember that clicking on an image will show you its full size.

 Springton, West Virginia

Springton, located in Mercer County West Virginia has a surprise as you drive by Matoaka. It still has its company store. ALL brick and rather incredible with what looks to be a neo classical design. I am reminded as I see Springton, IF you see it, IF you think its cool, take a picture. Buildings do not bite and the people, always the people, were very helpful. I will have more pics of Matoaka later, BUT I could not resist at least showing the caboose...which I have learned is gone now, (2022). This is a DRAFT series of pages and more revisions will be coming. PLEASE do feel free to comment. Clicking each image will show you its original size.

This WAS in Matoaka, but no more. LOVE this design. I hope a train fan can tell me more

The Springton Company store combined its Post Office and its main community store in one place. This was a very normal thing in a coal town.

In its day, this would have been gorgeous.  I would urge extreme caution and NOT go inside as the floors are gone or are now collapsing. That did not bother me. Despite its abandonment, it is beautiful.

Before I conclude this entry, I ask all of you one thing, will you follow me into these places??? The images below, tell me, I have to follow, and help and look...